Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 2042, the APEC Business Travel Card, and I appreciate working with my counterpart, Congressman Larsen, on this legislation. This bill provides security-vetted American business and government travelers the same time-saving benefits as their counterparts in other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries. The bill is supported by leaders in both parties, including the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Peter King. I appreciate his leadership, as this provision was included in the authorizing bill recently reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security. The card was originally created to increase the economic engagement in a region that continues to grow and grow, and to expedite secure business travel for those who make frequent business trips to these economies. But today, the United States is only one of three economies within APEC that hasn't yet provided these travel cards to their frequent business travelers. This bill would allow Customs and Border Protection to issue the travel card to our citizens after conducting background checks, confirming frequent travel to the APEC region, and collecting fees to cover the full costs. The two big benefits beyond increased security is the equal treatment for Americans. Our counterparts, frequent business and government travelers, who do business within these countries in the region already enjoy these benefits. This provides it to United States citizens.…”